trbccoffeebreak

“A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:18

This past week marks the first time I have placed my “pickleball” knee on the floor.  Yes you got it – bending down on that knee has not happened since my November tangling in the net.  I can also go down steps like a normal person; no longer sidestepping. It feels ever so great to get my knee back without pain.  Three months of bending on one knee, maneuvering steps sideways and feeling that tinge of pain is finally over. Definitely wearing knee pads when I hit the court again.

Now when I had my little injury, I assumed it would take about a week to heal but I was so wrong.  Deep bone bruises don’t go away that fast even when we want them to.  Reminds me of other areas in our lives where we aim and count on the quick fix. But reality is healing requires hard work and takes time. Ever so easy to carry over into another year those areas of our lives, which we know need some tender attentive soul work.  The quick fix is totally overrated and simply doesn’t yield lasting results just temporary illusions that keep rising to the surface bubbling over and impacting others in our path. You can’t squash and push down wounds of the soul without hurting others. If we choose to forego true healing then we will continue to go through life limping and in pain.

True healing takes quiet reflection, sometimes confession, always prayer and often the support of loving counsel.  Doing the hard work over time and making consistent steps to move toward a healthier soul so our choices reflect the freedom God desires for our lives serves us well.  Gathering at the feet of Jesus and allowing Him to soothe the ache in our heart births deep healing one day at a time. Clinging to His words and allowing powerful truths to settle over our minds and souls rejuvenates our spirit. Walking in community with other believers encourages, challenges and invites us to be authentic in our struggles versus wearing a mask of deception. And finally welcoming the amazing grace of our loving Father positions us to move forward with Him in redeeming our story versus being paralyzed with guilt and shame.

Best solution is to embrace 2024 as the year we do some deep soul searching and then move in agreement with God over those areas of our lives that need His healing touch. Settling for the quick fix will leave us with regrets, but true healing produces fruitful abundance.  Visible evidence of God’s redemptive work in our lives. It’s a commitment guaranteed to serve us well all of our days.

“Father thank You for bringing to our attention those areas of our lives that need healing.  Help us to take consistent steps in moving towards a healthier version of ourselves than we had last year.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life